Kids' Book Recommendations: Ages 8 11

Many parents are looking for kids' book recommendations for ages 8 - 11. Children in that age group should be encouraged to read every day. Although capable of reading independently, children in this age category enjoy read-alouds as well. Intermediate readers enjoy fiction that offers action, humor, and unique characters. They can become very focused on specific topics of interest and are attracted to mystery and fantasy books. Children at this age should be encouraged to read from many different genres. Below are kids’ book recommendations organized by genre for children aged 8 to 11.

• Blow Out the Moon by Libby Koponen
• A Boy Called Slow by Joseph Bruchac
• Hana’s Suitcase: A True Story by Karen Levine

• Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel
• I, Freddy by Dietlof Reiche and Joe Cepeda

There are hundreds of classic books to choose from for children aged 8 to 11. For more classic book suggestions visit the American Library Association.

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White
• Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
• The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

• The Earth Giant by Melvin Burgess
• Hoodwinked by Arthur Howard
• Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson
• My Haunted House (Araminta Spookie 1) by Angie Sage

• From the Lighthouse by Liz Chipman
• Gifts from the Sea by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
• The Liberation of Gabriel King by K. L. Going

• Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogs (series) by Donald Sobol
• Ghost of Fossil Glen by Cynthia Defelice
• Utterly Me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child

• Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America by Jim Murphy
• Home of the Moon: Living on a Space Frontier by Marianne J. Dyson
• The Magic School Bus Explores the Senses (series) by Joanna Cole

• Earthborn by Sylvia Waugh
• The Green Futures of Tycho by William Sleater
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

One way to assure that you are choosing quality literature for your intermediate reader is to choose books that have earned book awards. The most famous American book awards are the Caldecott Medal, awarded to the artist of the most distinguished picture book of the year, The Newbery Medal, awarded to the author of the most distinguished American book of the year, and the Coretta Scott King Awards, two awards, for the African American author and artist of the most educational and inspirational books of the year. To find lists of books that have received these awards, visit The Children’s Literature Web Guide: Children’s Book Awards.

The above kids book recommendations, ages 8 - 11, are only a few of the quality children’s books available. Ask your local librarian for a library recommended reading list as most libraries compile them according to age group. You can also find more recommendations, book reviews, and author information at The Children’s Book Council.

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